Psalm 25

Psalm 25

This psalm is the second of eight acrostic psalms. It is a psalm of David, who is praying for God to deliver him from his enemies as he also seeks forgiveness for his sins. These themes are interwoven throughout this complex psalm.

• Verses 1-3, 13-15-David knew where he should place his confidence, his soul, his life. He knew the only place to go was to God.
• Verses 4-5, 8-9, and 12-Each of these verses contain the desire of David to have God’s teachings in order to have true guidance. He knew to have God’s Word is to have God’s presence.
• Verses 7, 11, and 18-David seeks God’s forgiveness. There is an undertow here. David knows that God’s presence is only known where forgiveness dwells.
• Verses 2 and 20-David feared that God would be put to shame if he were put to shame. So, the prayer is not for David to not be “embarrassed” but for David’s life not to put a blemish on the character of God. This is known as the fear of the Lord (12 and 14).
• Verse 21-David knew that only through God’s character being developed in his character would he be able to live the life that God created for him to live.
• Verses 16-17-If you notice, David was quite honest with God, who knows all things anyway. He not only confessed sins, see 7, 11, and 18, but confessed the condition of his heart due to the circumstances in which he found himself.
• Verse 22-The prayer concludes not only for David but also for the nation in which he dwelt, which is Israel.

A key thought in this passage is integrity. In verse 21 David associates integrity as coming only from God to those who wait on Him. Integrity is having one mind, one purpose, one goal; it is not to be divided. It is possessed by an absence of syncretism. It is best illustrated by Jesus in Luke when Luke states Jesus set His face like flint toward Jerusalem (Luke 9.51, cf. Isaiah 50.7). Another writer wrote a comment on this passage, “Jesus Set His Face Like Flint.”

We can be assured of God’s guidance when we seek to glorify Him, wait on Him, ask for His help, confess our sins, and submit to His Word. All this implies what is found most commonly in this chapter. We need to know His Word well. For in knowing His Word, we can know Him. If you notice, David bases his prayers on who God is (2-3, 5, 20-21).

How well do you know God?

Author: Pastor David

David R Williamson is the founder of Teach for God Ministries. He holds degrees from Grace Bible College, Grand Canyon University, Grace Theological Seminary, and Walden University. David has been actively involved in ministry since 1979. He has ministered in various ministries from Sunday School teacher, Youth Pastor, to English Pastor in Taiwanese churches, including teaching ten years at the Junior High school level. Currently, David is teaching at Hillcrest Christian School at the High School level. He is also pulpit supply and retreat speaker for churches and other religious organizations. He is happily married to Karen with three children: Joshua, Kazlyn, and Joseph View all posts by Pastor David